Govt on stronger footing

The Government has consolidated its position further with the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) rejoining the ruling alliance last week.

Apart from the CWC's decision to reaccept their ministerial portfolios, the Government scored another achievement ahead of the 2008 Budget as four Monetary Bills presented in Parliament were passed by a majority of 88 votes. The turn of events has forced the United National Party (UNP) to postpone their dream of returning to power indefinitely.

The UNP has been plotting ways and means of recapturing power since the beginning of this year.

Firstly, they targeted March and then postponed it for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April. Since then, they have been postponing it on a monthly basis and the latest target is the 2008 Budget, to be presented in Parliament next month.

There were many reasons for UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to dream of becoming the Prime Minister for the third time. Having lost two successive Presidential elections and 12 other elections, Wickremesinghe has been looking for short cuts to regain power. Former Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi gloated that they have tremendous power and several followers and this perhaps prompted Wickremesinghe to go for a raw deal with the two rebel Parliamentarians.

As a result, the UNP's lust for power ended with the main opposition signing the so-called pact with Samaraweera and Sooriararchchi, giving equal rights for the UNP and the rebel group of the duo. But as fate would have it the strength of the duo has now been exposed badly as they have cut a sorry figure, failing to woo even a single member of the promised 18 MPs from government ranks.

Wickremesinghe's day dream of forming a government has been a fantasy for nearly one year. Perhaps he believed that his chances of forming a government even without a mandate from the people would be high with the CWC giving up their portfolios due to minor differences with the Government. Similarly, the UNP felt that they could secure the simple majority of 113 seats in Parliament if the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) breaks away.

Then came the recent five Monetary Bills, which the UNP banked on - another great opportunity to keep their hopes alive. Having agreed to the new electronic voting system at the party leaders meeting, the opposition leader raised a big hue and cry when the government emerged victorious. The Speaker decided to go for a fresh voting for four Bills while approving the vote for the first of the five Bills.

The vote on the remaining four Monetary Bills took place last Thursday. With only the Tamil National Alliance, the party that shows extraordinary loyalty to LTTE terrorists, deciding to vote against the Bills, the UNP could only hide their faces in shame by abstaining from voting. The JVP walked out and the Government secured a convincing majority of 88 votes.

Now that the CWC, led by Arumugam Thondaman, has accepted their ministerial portfolios back and extended their support to the Government, it's the duty of all peace-loving citizens who value democracy to strengthen the hands of the President.

The role of the JVP too is vital in continuing the Government's battle against terrorism. The UNP and the JVP accuse the Government of having a 100 plus Cabinet and non-Cabinet Ministers. Though their total expenditure is less than half a percent of the total annual budget, we could still limit it if the JVP backs the Government.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently sought JVP support at least for a period of one year, during which the Government could eliminate terrorism.

Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told Parliament last week that they could trim the Cabinet to 35 members if the JVP joins the Government. That is indeed very true and the majority of the people would warmly welcome such a move.

Though the UNP is demanding a fresh election, three years ahead of the scheduled General Election, the people are not willing for such an expensive exercise.

Even the majority of Parliamentarians, irrespective of the political party they belong, do not wish to engage in another election battle when they could serve three years more.

The UNP Democratic group, led by Minister Karu Jayasuriya, too has indicated its willingness to reduce the strength of the Cabinet, if Wickremesinghe's group supports the Government.

Hence, it is abundantly clear that the President could limit the Cabinet to 35 members, if the JVP decides to join the Government. Even after moving away, the JVP, unlike the UNP, has been acting as a responsible political party. Whilst criticising anything that they feel is harmful to the people, the JVP has not put a spoke in Government moves. Especially in matters pertaining to national security and elimination of terrorism, the JVP has always backed the Government with responsibility.

The UNP too could contribute towards such a move by extending unconditional support to the Government to eliminate terrorism and usher in peace.

The UNP should realise that the Government is on a strong footing and abandon their dream of regaining power before the scheduled elections. Else, the UNP will continue to remain in a dream world.